What is being an Anthropology major like?

Hi Anthony,

There are two great reasons why undergraduate students should consider studying anthropology. First, the material is intellectually exciting: Anthropology students enthusiastically complete their courses of study. Second, anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths: The course of study provides global information and thinking skills critical to succeeding in the 21st century in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.

High school students interested in a career in anthropology should develop a firm background in social studies and history, math, science, biology, and languages, both English and foreign. The computer has become an important research tool and computer skills are useful.

Program Goals: What you will learn

1. 
   

   The diversity of human cultures and the principles anthropologists employ for studying them.

   
   


2. 
   

   Fundamental cultural themes in at least one society other than your own, and their relationship to the dynamics of social organization.

   
   


3. 
   

   Human linguistic diversity, and the shared properties of all languages that are associated with the unique capacities of our species.

   
   


4. 
   

   The biological principles and historical contingencies that explain and govern the deep history and present state of humanity.

   
   


5. 
   

   The fundamental laws and processes of heredity and evolution, and their implications for individuals and populations.

   
   

Students with a concentration in social and cultural anthropology will additionally gain a focused understanding of one or more topical areas, such as the cross-cultural study of law, politics, economic systems, psychology, or medical systems. They will be expected to acquire an ability to relate theory to empirically grounded research that will help to equip them for understanding and interacting with societies and cultures beyond their own.

Students with a concentration in biological anthropology will additionally be expected to gain a basic theoretical and practical understanding of the evolutionary biology and functioning of the human body and of the biological factors that affect nutrition, reproduction, and behavior in humans and other primates.

There are many career and educational options for anthropology majors. Further anthropological study leads to both traditional anthropological careers of teaching and research as well as careers in applied anthropology. Academic anthropologists find careers in anthropology departments, social science departments, and a variety of other departments or programs, such as medicine; epidemiology; public health; ethnic, community, or area studies; linguistics; cognitive psychology; and neural science.

Applying anthropology offers many opportunities to use anthropological perspectives and skills. Jobs filled by anthropology majors include researchers, evaluators, and administrators.

More in: http://www.bu.edu/anthrop/undergraduate/why-major-in-anthropology/

Good Luck!